Is it safe to take stool softener while pregnant?
On One Hand: Safe To UseStool softeners are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy, according to Dr. Roger W. Harms, obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief at the Mayo Clinic. He says stool softeners such as Colace will make your bowel movements easier, and the active ingredients in the products will not be absorbed by your body and thus aren’t likely to hurt the baby.On the Other: Try Natural Methods FirstAlthough there is no reported scientific data that stool softeners will create problems during pregnancy, it is best not to use them, according to Dr. Mary Powderly, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Somerset, New Jersey. In 1999, she told OBLink.com that pregnant women generally should avoid taking drugs that stimulate the body, such as stool softeners.Bottom LineGiven that there’s no reported harm, it’s OK to use stool softeners during pregnancy, but you should try other natural methods first.
